Bio
Karl Ahnee is a Mauritian artist and photographer with fifteen years' experience collaborating with editorial agencies, architects, construction, and engineering companies. He began his career in commercial photography and is now increasingly recognized for projects that connect commissioned work, documentary and art.
He was awarded the 2024 Samudra Art Prize (Best Photography) for "Behind the Noise", a decade-long series that reframes Mauritius’ landscapes through empty billboards. This work invites viewers to reflect on how commercial messages disrupt and obscure the island's cultural and ecological identity.
Alongside his art, Karl studies agroecology and natural building. This commitment grew from documenting the fields of agriculture and architecture, two industries meant to meet basic human needs, yet whose industrialization and globalization ironically threaten their own sustainability.
Rooted in both his Mauritian heritage and a broader view shaped by his diverse background, Karl’s multidisciplinary approach questions the balance between human activity and fragile ecosystems. His core belief is that art can serve as both witness and catalyst for better understanding and positive change.
Exhibitions
- Group exhibition (Short video reportage - H2o) | Samdudra Art Prize WATER - Winner of Impact Award | Candan Art Centre | Juin 2026
- Group exhibition (Raw earth sculpture) | Festival Krea'terre | Basement, Candan Art Centre, Port-Louis | Oct. 2025
- Group exhibition (Mixed media) | Shay Hewett Gallery | Groundfloor, The Hybrid, Telfair, Moka | Dec. 2024
- Group exhibition (Photography) - Winner of Best Photography Award | Samdudra Art Prize WILD | Caudan Art Center | Nov. 2024- Group exhibition (Mixed media) | Shay Hewett Gallery | Quartier des Serres, Labourdonnais | Dec. 2023
- Group exhibition (Mixed media) | MEDIUM Collectif | In Situ, Tamrain | Nov. 2022
- Zom Res Zom (Street art photography) | MEDIUM Collectif | Rose-Hill, Port-Louis, Mahébourg, Grand Baie, Curepipe | Dec. 2021
- Group exhibition (Mixed media) | S'mall & Chic, Floréal | Nov. 2021
- Group exhibition at Vivéa, Moka (Mixed media) | Oct. 2021
- Group exhibition at La Galerie du Génie (Mixed media) | EDITH Port-Louis | Jan. 2021
- Wandering – Wondering (Fine art photography) | Two person exhibition at Imaaya Gallery, Phoenix | Apr. 2019
- Fragments #4 / Rose-Hill | Group Exhibition (Fine art photography) | IFM, Rose-hill | Nov. 2017
- Group exhibition (Fine art photography) | Contemporary Arts Indian Ocean (CAIO) | Dec. 2015
- Porlwi by Light (Mixed media - Installation) | Prison, Port Louis | Dec. 2015
- Expo 13, Group exhibition (Fine art photography) | Imaaya Gallery, Phoenix | Apr. 2015
- Group exhibition (Fine art photography) | Long Beach Resort, Belle Mare | Dec. 2014
- Écumes du ciel - Solo exhibition (Fine art photography) | Meltin' Potes, Moka | Aug. 2011
IMPACT prize of Samdudra Art Prize 2026 (WATER) - Click to watch the short video reportage H2o
Le Morne Brabant - UNESCO World Heritage
Winning picture of Samudra Art Prize 2024 | Behind the Noise
Work experience
Commercial photographer | 2009– 2026
- Architecture & interior photography (JFA Architects - VK Design - MDL ltd - 218 Architecture - Arup Sigma)
- Corporate, portraits, business activities & product photography (Alteo - Rogers - Harel Mallac - Beachcomber - Mauritius Union - OXO - Scott & Co - LMLC)
- On set photographer
Commercial photographer & graphic designer
- Alteo & Anahita | 2022 - 2023
- NETLAB.MU | 2022
- Proactive PR | 2021
- Côte Nord Édition - Magazine Travel-îles | 2019-2020
- WDK | 2017 - 2018
- L’Epress Property | 2009 - 2010
Clients
Let's talk!
Thank you!